Now that the cold weather has returned it is time to relive my time herping in Arizona in August of this year. The monsoon rains were plentiful which no doubt aided my finding 43 herp species, four of which were lifers.
My first stop was in the Sonoran Desert.
monsoon season by mitchberk, on Flickr
I had seen Canyon Spotted Whiptail lizards (Aspidoscelis burti) on a previous trip but there were especially abundant this time.
Canyon Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis burti) panting by mitchberk, on Flickr
The lizard pictured here was not at all interested in the White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata) caterpillar crawling over its back. These caterpillars were all over the road and vegetation.
Canyon Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis burti) and friend by mitchberk, on Flickr
However this Whiptail was not going to pass up an easy meal. It had to work for some time to get this meal down the hatch.
Aspidoscelis burti eating White-lined Sphinx Moth caterpillar by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (Aspisoscelis sonorae)
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (Aspisoscelis sonorae) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Tiger Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)
Tiger Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), male.
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), female.
Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus), female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Elegant Earless Lizard (Holbrookia elegans).
Elegant Earless Lizard (Holbrookia elegans) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides), male displaying.
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) by mitchberk, on Flickr
On my trip to Arizona two years ago I wanted to see a Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) but had failed to see one. On my last day of that trip a park staff person told me that I could probably see them on a trail I did not hike and it was too late in the day to find them. So this year that trail was foremost on my to do list. Success!! I was looking in the brush off the trail when in my peripheral vision I spotted a Regal Horned Lizard running towards me. I photographed it and came across a better subject later that day.
Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Schott's Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus schottii)
Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus schottii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
A hike at sunset revealed a Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) on a different trail. Was it lying in wait to ambush its prey?
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Later that evening I encountered a Sonoran Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) as I returned on the same trail. I came across a second Sonoran Coral Snake during a mid-morning hike at a different park. I seem to have dumb luck finding coral snakes.
Sonoran Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
This Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) was lying in a well traversed trail early in the morning. It did not seem to be annoyed by the hikers passing by. This was the third one that I found at this park.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) by mitchberk, on Flickr
By chance I spotted a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) just off the trail.
Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) by mitchberk, on Flickr
The evening brought out the amphibians. A Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus) greeted me near the entrance to the restroom. I should have known to carry a camera with me even to take a shower at the campground restroom. You never know what you will find. I had to go back to the campsite to fetch the camera but the toad was quit willing to stay put. That was not the case with an unidentified snake at the same restroom three hours later that night.
Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sonoran Desert Toads (Bufo alvarius) were along a trail ladened with puddles. Luckily I spotted one that was parked beneath my car before I drove off.
Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Toads and snakes were not the only denizens of the night as I saw a few Arizona Blond Tarantulas (Aphonopelma chalcodes).
Arizona Blond Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Round-tailed Ground Squirrels (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) were in abundance at the campground. I would think they would provide a good-sized meal for the rattlesnakes. Indeed there was a Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake lying against the cement curb at my parking space at the campsite upon my return from a nightly search for herps.
Round-tailed Ground Squirrel (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Next stop was the mountains of south-central Arizona.
https://flic.kr/p/YjfDZp by mitchberk, on Flickr
Clark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii)
Clark' Clark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), female
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), male
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii), male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)
Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) was on my wish trip list and I was successful for adding this lifer to it during a night road cruise.
Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Canyon Tree Frog (Hyla arenicolor) was a lifer.
Canyon Tree Frog (Hyla arenicolor) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Canyon Tree Frog (Hyla arenicolor) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer)
Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Sonoran Whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus)
Sonoran Whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
I love to photograph all types of wildlife. I could not pass up a photo of this Arizona Sister (Adelpha eulalia) butterfly.
Arizona Sister (Adelpha eulalia) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Dragonfly ID?
Dragonfly ID? by mitchberk, on Flickr
Next stop was southeastern Arizona. Monsoon clouds formed during the morning resulting in a heavy rainstorm later on.
Chiricahua Mountains by mitchberk, on Flickr
Monsoon storm by mitchberk, on Flickr
I went road cruising that evening after the afternoon torrential downpour. I was glad I did.
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula splendida)
Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula splendida) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii), male
Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii), male by mitchberk, on Flickr
Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii), female
Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphious couchii), female by mitchberk, on Flickr
Mexican Spadefoot Toad (Spea multiplicata)
Mexican Spadefoot Toad (Spea multiplicata) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus)
Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons) or Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana)
Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Green Toad (Bufo debilis)
Green Toad (Bufo debilis) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Upon my return to the campground I was greeted by a Striped Skunk. The folks at the adjacent campsite set-up a lighted white screen for a moth survey. The next morning they informed me that a skunk had come to the screen and devoured the low-hanging moths. The campers were not inclined to dissuade the skunk from its moth meal. The next morning there were still plentiful moths for them to identify but also numerous moth wings dotted the ground below.
Striped Skunk by mitchberk, on Flickr
The next day I spotted a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) enjoying a snake breakfast. Snake ID?
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) devouring snake by mitchberk, on Flickr
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) devouring snake by mitchberk, on Flickr
Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus)
Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei). Thanks to Jake Scott and Tim Warfel for finding this lifer for me.
Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Eastern Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae)
Eastern Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Yarrow' Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
I failed to find the Arizona Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis arizonae) in one of its isolated populations in my Arizona trip two years ago. This time the Whiptail Gods were smiling down on me. I saw only one but managed to get a picture before it raced into a burrow.
Arizona Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis arizonae) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi) by mitchberk, on Flickr
I took a brief excursion into southwestern New Mexico.
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) by mitchberk, on Flickr
New Mexico Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus pointsettii pointsettii)
New Mexico Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus pointsettii pointsettii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Two Desert Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata luteola) were out on the road following the torrential downpour the previous night just like their Eastern Box Turtle relatives I am familiar with.
Desert Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata luteola) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Desert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens)
Desert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis)
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Schott's Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus schottii)
Schott's Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus schottii) by mitchberk, on Flickr
Have you had enough pictures? I will hold off with the remainder of the trip photos until Arizona Herping Adventure Part 2 is posted.
Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Amazing finds! I particularly like the lizard shots. And well done on the black tail. I didn't manage to find one this summer.
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Great post!
The snake that the hawk is eating looks like a gopher snake.
The snake that the hawk is eating looks like a gopher snake.
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
You can see a pretty prominent dorsal stripe in the first pic, marcianus or cyrtopsis would be my guess.
Nice shots, always a good time down that way
Nice shots, always a good time down that way
- Fieldherper
- Posts: 252
- Joined: June 11th, 2010, 10:46 am
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Very nice post. I especially liked seeing all of the lizard photos, as the lizards are often overlooked in favor of the common snake targets.
FH
FH
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Looks like a checkered garter snake being eaten by the hawk.
Nice looking splendida y'all found!
Nice looking splendida y'all found!
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
I second the wandering garter id
- regalringneck
- Posts: 563
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 6:20 am
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
... ahm not sure any1 "1st'd" elegans-vagrans ... but i will double tap for marcianus (checkered) :p ...
very nice camera work, and you hit "triple 7's" walking up a corale, i think ive only done that 3-4 times in 35+ years & 10's of 1000's of days in hab !
Your 1st shot looks much more " madrean sub-tropical thorn scrub" than "sonoran" but for all thos beautiful cnemis, you getta pass & a gold star ... looking 4ward 2 part 2 ... : ]
very nice camera work, and you hit "triple 7's" walking up a corale, i think ive only done that 3-4 times in 35+ years & 10's of 1000's of days in hab !
Your 1st shot looks much more " madrean sub-tropical thorn scrub" than "sonoran" but for all thos beautiful cnemis, you getta pass & a gold star ... looking 4ward 2 part 2 ... : ]
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Thanks to EVERYONE for your very kind remarks about the photography. Lizards get top billing for I am able to get the "drop" on them with the camera much easier than I can the snakes. I can't explain my "ability" to come across coral snakes. My first one was two years ago in Cochise County. Now if I can only get a Ridge-nosed rattlesnake or a Rock Rattlesnake!! I have hiked through perfect habitat, at the right weather conditions, at the right time of day but without success!! Go figure.
Mitch
Mitch
- VinceAdam2015
- Posts: 31
- Joined: February 15th, 2015, 8:13 pm
- Location: Malaysia
Re: Arizona Herping Adventure: Part 1
Nice set of photos.
Keep them coming!
Keep them coming!